Risk Factors of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Deep Brain Stimulation – Definition:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a unique procedure that uses electrical stimulation to treat various neurological conditions. It can treat essential tremors, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis. Deep brain stimulation helps in treating all the movement problems in a patient. This treatment is for patients with stiffness, slowed movement, difficulty walking, and tremors.

Although these conditions cannot be cured using this process. Deep brain stimulation helps in decreasing the symptoms and also lowers the requirement for medicine for these conditions. Any movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions happen due to faulty electrical signals.

These signals happen to be in the areas of the brain responsible for movement control. Deep brain stimulation does not cause any brain tissue damage. However, it will help block the faulty signals that are the causes of tremors or various other movement symptoms. The deep stimulation process is done by placing the electrodes inside the brain.

The inserted electrode is connected with a small neurostimulator. Neurostimulator is an electrical generator implanted on the abdomen or the chest. Neurostimulator helps deliver the electrical current to the electrode targeted to the specific areas of brain tissue. Those brain tissues are mostly responsible for the symptoms.

Reasons for Deep Brain Stimulation:

Deep brain stimulation is one of the best options for neurological conditions. It seems to be much more effective when medicines are not giving many benefits in such conditions. Most importantly, medicines have side effects that interfere with various daily activities. The deep brain stimulation will not have any side effects, and you can go through all your daily activities easily.

Deep brain stimulation is mainly used for treating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Get positive results if you face movement problems or have worse side effects from medicines. Deep brain stimulation can also be used for several other conditions, which we have mentioned below.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS):

It is a chronic disease that mostly affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the spinal cord, brain, and optic nerves. Multiple sclerosis disables these systems, which could have a worse effect on the body.

Essential Tremor:

It is a condition that mostly causes rhythmic trembling in different body parts. Symptoms can occur in the head, hands, legs, voice, or trunk.

Dystonia:

This is a kind of movement disorder that contracts the muscle involuntarily.

Intractable Pain:

This is a unique kind of pain that cannot be revealed using surgical or medical treatment.

Psychiatric Conditions:

These conditions include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. These conditions cannot be properly treated with medicine or any other treatment in general.

There are several other reasons for the health condition to suggest deep brain stimulation by the health care provider. We also need to understand that not every candidate with the aforementioned conditions is appropriate for deep brain stimulation. It is important to talk to neurologists specializing in movement disorders. They will help in determining whether you are a good candidate for deep brain stimulation or not.

Risk Factors of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery:

Deep brain stimulation is a unique surgical procedure where complications can occur. Even though doctors will be highly vigilant while performing the procedure, we have listed several possible complications.

• Bleeding in the selected regions of the brain.
• Reactions happen due to anesthesia.
• Infection.
• Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. It is a clear fluid found around the spinal cord and brain.
• Stroke.
• The electrode movement from the origin location to a different location in the brain.
• Allergic reactions in the body due to different parts of the implanted device.
• Pain and swelling in the surgery site.

We have also listed a few of the side effects during deep brain stimulation surgery.

• Loss of balance or dizziness.
• Temporary paralysis.
• Temporary tingling in the limbs and the face.
• Problems with vision or speech.
• Shocking or jolting sensation in different parts of the body.
• Reduced coordination in the body.
• Difficulty with concentration.

Several other risks are involved with deep brain stimulation surgery. Those are entirely dependent on different medical conditions in different patients. It is important to discuss all your concerns with the healthcare provider before starting the procedure.

Getting Ready for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery:

Deep brain stimulation, you need to have completely committed participation. It includes total procedure, evaluation, and consultation before and after the procedure. Deep brain stimulation is mostly available in large medical centers in different cities. You can always connect to us to get the best offerings in deep brain stimulation procedures.

However, it would be best to spend significant time in consultation before we can finalize the procedure. The procedure is complicated, and it’s associated with different appointments and could be expensive. However, we will be offering budget-friendly plans to cope with every patient’s requirement. Most importantly, it is recommended to have realistic expectations while going for deep brain stimulation surgery.

Deep brain stimulation surgery will help in the improvement of different symptoms. It will not completely cure the condition, so it is important to discuss it with the health care providers. Before moving forward to deep brain stimulation surgery, it is important to determine whether it is a good option for you. There are different tests to be done to evaluate thinking and memory.

Any experienced psychiatrist will help examine the patient to determine if such a condition needs to have deep brain stimulation surgery. In most cases, anxiety and depression need to have this procedure. It is recommended to consult with the health care provider who will help you prepare. It is important to take precautions for days or weeks before starting this procedure.

Special dietary charts or medical restrictions need to be followed in most cases.

Experience During Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery:

Deep brain stimulation implantation would require admission to the hospital. The duration could be days or longer, which the doctor is consulting. The procedure entirely depends on the health condition and the health care provider’s practices. The neuro simulator and lead will be implanted at the same time. In some cases, the neurostimulator could also be implanted in a different procedure right after the lead implantation. Consult with the health care providers regarding an overview of the experience during the procedure.